The next regular meeting of Council is scheduled for this Friday, May 27, 2016. Please note, this is the final meeting for the 2015-2016 Council year.
The agenda and meeting documents are available on the Council materials page of the Society's website.
Read More

This feature is available in every edition of InForum, for timely updates on changes of category.
The following member has changed to the Practising Lawyer category:
Bryen Elizabeth Mooney
The Society welcomes the following new articled clerk:
Pawanjeet Singh Mann
Read More

Interested in cultural competence? Check out the three new videos added to the Equity Portal’s cultural competence video playlist.
The videos cover a wide range of cultural competence matters, including: Read More

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society requires all practising lawyers to create an annual professional development plan and commit it to writing (see Regulation 8.3.6). Each year, lawyers will be asked to indicate on their Annual Lawyer Report whether they have prepared and written their CPD Plan and implemented their plan from the previous year. Read More

Most lawyers practise in areas of law that require us to meet with clients, and oftentimes the meetings occur at your firm. Here are some tips to ensure your client meetings are as productive as possible: Read More

We have received reports from lawyers and/or their staff who have received the following type of email, using “spoofing” (emails that falsely appear to be sent by a party). One version of the message is as follows:
[Employee name], Read More

The Honourable (retired) Justice F.B. William Kelly passed away on May 13, 2016, surrounded by his family. He was 79 years of age. Justice Kelly retired from the Nova Scotia Supreme Court in September of 2009 after 24 years on the Bench. Read More

More Nova Scotians will soon be able to get married by a justice of the peace. Government is improving the Civil Weddings Program and increasing the number of justices of the peace who can perform a civil wedding. Read More

On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, May 17, government released Guidelines to Support Trans and Gender Variant Employees for government workers, making Nova Scotia the first provincial public service in Canada to do so. Read More

A public and stakeholder consultation on proposed amendments to the Maintenance Enforcement Act launched April 27.
The Nova Scotia Department of Justice is considering a number of changes to the Act and is seeking your feedback on three of those changes: Read More

The following proclamations were published in the Royal Gazette, Part II since the last issue of InForum:
An Act to Amend Chapter 293 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Motor Vehicle Act, S.N.S. 2015, c. 45, s. 23
NS Gaz Pt 2, 05/13/2016
NS Reg 81/2016 Read More

News releases from the provincial government are available at this link, and are searchable by department and date: http://novascotia.ca/news/
The following announcements since the last edition of InForum may be of interest to the legal profession; see link above for all provincial releases: Read More

I am a lawyer in Dartmouth and a client of mine, Trena West, who is the daughter and Power of Attorney of Frances Rose Chisholm, is looking to track down the will that was prepared for her mother in 2007. My client, Trena West, believes she is the executor of the will but she and her mother are uncertain which Nova Scotia firm drafted the will. Read More

I am seeking a will possibly prepared for Ms. DeGruchy of Dartmouth, who passed away on January 7, 2016.
If you have any information concerning the existence of a will for Ms. DeGruchy, please contact me at:
Sandra Barss
902 492 2879sandra@slblaw.ca
Read More

The Community Resource Guide from LEAF Halifax is now available for download. The Guide was developed in consultation with women incarcerated at Burnside jail and with the support of Pro Bono Students Canada and NSPIRG.
Hard-copy guides are made available to women in corrections.
To download the electronic version of the Guide, follow this link: Read More

May 10, 2016 – Kim Jakeman, Chair of the CBA End of Life Working Group, appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to discuss the changes to Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal code and to make related amendments to others Acts (medical assistance in dying). Read More

I am seeking a will prepared for Mr. William “Bill” John Taylor of Halifax, who passed away on March 28, 2016.
If you have any information regarding the existence of a will for Mr. Taylor, please contact me at:
Brian Hebert or Tia Howell
McKiggan Hebert Lawyers
(902) 423 2050bhebert@mckigganhebert.com
Read More

The Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Associations in the Atlantic region are looking for graduates of French education programs (French Immersion, Core and French language) who will share their stories about how they have used their education to further their careers or live more fully using both of Canada’s official languages. Read More

Legal process outsourcing has been touted as “game-changer” for the legal profession, and the creator of a paradigm shift in the way law firms – and other firms that have legal needs – do business.
The size of the LPO market internationally has been estimated at $3 billion and growing. But it’s hard to say whether Canadian firms have jumped aboard the LPO bandwagon. Read More

Searching for a will for the late Robert Gordon Dunn, possibly prepared in 2012 or as late as October 2015. If you have any information, please contact:
Sandra L. Barss
Barrister & Solicitor
Tel: 902 492 2879
Email: Sandra@slblaw.ca
Read More

I am soon-to-be graduate of the University of New Brunswick's Law program and am seeking Articles for the 2016-17 year in mainland Nova Scotia. I am available to start as needed.
Interests:
Corporate/Commerical
Administrative/Regulatory
Family
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Honours: Read More

Office space available in the St. Paul's Building. Several offices of different sizes coming available in the next 4 months. $650-$1800/month per office. Great light, huge windows, exposed brick. Shared reception area and conference room. Heat and electricity included.
Address:
1684 Barrington Street, 5th floor
Halifax, NS. Read More

Greetings,
I am a hard working recent law graduate from the Dalhousie Schulich School of Law, and I am seeking an articling posiiton in NS to begin at any time. I am open to a voluntary position, or a split articling arrangement.
For more information contact me at dv694409@dal.ca
Read More

Location: Saint John, New Brunswick
Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited has operations in Canada and the United States. They are a team of 15,000 dedicated employees, with business units across a wide variety of industries including: Read More

Heritage House Law Office is seeking a full time legal assistant to work with two Lawyers in the areas of Family Law and Personal Injury Law. Qualifications would include completion of a Legal Assistant/Paralegal Education Program and a minimum of at least one year experience. Read More

Position summary: NavLegal Notaries is looking for lawyers in Halifax and Cape Breton who are currently working out of an office or home office to provide notary services to our clients in their respective locations. NavLegal Notaries works with Lawyers across Canada, and currently provides notary services at 19 locations nation-wide. Read More

Looking to get involved in an activity/board that is grappling with some real issues? We looking for some people to join us on the board of the Community Justice Society. We deal with youth who have made some mistakes and find themselves in trouble with the law. Read More

This Board Opportunity is an appointed through the Governor in Council. Applications are to be submitted to the Agencies, Boards and Commission Department at the Government of Nova Scotia. http://novascotia.ca/exec_council/abc/adjudicative-how-to-apply.asp Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - 12:00The advances of the information age have transformed the ways in which client information must be safeguarded, leading to increased possibility of legal claims and losses. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - 05:30FAMILY LAW SECTION
18th ANNUAL BENCH AND BAR ROUND TABLE DINNER MEETING
18th Annual Bench and Bar Round Table Dinner Meeting with the Justices of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Family Division and the Judges of the Family Court for the Province of Nova Scotia. Read More

Event Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 12:00The Business of Succession Planning “ There is No Time Like the Present
Speaker: Deborah Gillis, QC, Crowe Dillon Robinson
May is Bring-A-Buddy month!
See our website for details. www.cbans.ca Read More

Event Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 08:30Pension lawyers must be familiar with multiple aspects of the operation of pension plans, not just the legal principles. Your clients look to you for solutions when dealing with a wide array of pension related matters, including payroll reporting, actuarial valuations, investment strategies, and risk mitigation strategies such as the purchase of annuities. Read More

Event Date: Friday, May 27, 2016 - 09:30We are offering a workshop to help non-profits understand the legal positions of board members and their employees. The workshop addresses two important issues faced by non-profit organizations: Read More

Event Date: Monday, May 30, 2016 - 09:00If your practice touches on human rights law, this program is a must-attend event for you. Get up-to-date on the latest developments and take-away helpful strategies on handling current issues in human rights. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - 08:00To succeed as a music lawyer, you must not only understand the legal challenges musicians and similar professionals face, but you also need to have a firm grasp of how the music industry is evolving and how the law can adapt to fit creative clients’ needs. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - 12:30Most lawyers have experienced burnout at some point in their career. Learn how to identify the signs early on, develop an organized and proactive approach to managing your professional life and start to train for resilience in every aspect of your life.
SPEAKERS Read More

Event Date: Thursday, June 2, 2016 - 17:30Is there or should there be a duty by franchisors to protect and enhance their franchise brand? In March 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed a leave to appeal in the Quebec Dunkin’ Brands case leaving this as the last word on these franchisor duties. Read More

Event Date: Friday, June 3, 2016 - 15:00The Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers' Association AGM will be held at the Carlton Bar and Grill on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm, followed by a speaker and social. The AGM will deal with the election of officers for the 16/17 year and an announcement of our Fall Conference. Read More

Event Date: Friday, June 3, 2016 - 12:00For those previously registered for the original May 20 date, please contact Cynthia Nield at cnield@lians.ca only if you cannot attend on the new date — otherwise, you will be automatically rebooked and we will send along webinar instructions and/or in-person attendance details prior to the new session.
Register: Read More

Event Date: Monday, June 6, 2016 - 09:00Whatever your practice area, you are likely to need to address corporate law issues. How are corporate reorganizations used in the context of family law, estate planning, and contractual disputes? What are representations and warranties and what do they mean for your clients? Read More

Event Date: Monday, June 6, 2016 - 09:00Whatever your practice area, you are likely to need to address corporate law issues. How are corporate reorganizations used in the context of family law, estate planning, and contractual disputes? What are representations and warranties and what do they mean for your clients? Read More

Event Date: Monday, June 6, 2016 - 11:45Today, it is more important than ever before that you know how to maximize the business of your law firm. Our expert speakers will provide guidance on setting benchmarks for the year, establishing standard budgets, determining billable time and rates, moving from traditional hourly rates to flat rates, and using accounting systems to help you with your financial targets. Read More

Event Date: Monday, June 6, 2016 - 11:45Today, it is more important than ever before that you know how to maximize the business of your law firm. Our expert speakers will provide guidance on setting benchmarks for the year, establishing standard budgets, determining billable time and rates, moving from traditional hourly rates to flat rates, and using accounting systems to help you with your financial targets. Read More

Event Date: Monday, June 6, 2016 - 17:30Join us for an insightful program on the intersection of Animal, Municipal and Environmental law which will explore the conflict between development and the conservation of species at risk, and their habitat in Ontario. A range of speakers from both the public and private sectors will discuss: Read More

Event Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 (All day)Free training in WestlawNext Canada is offered at the Barristers’ Library in Halifax, NS on June 7 & 8.
Please call Library & Information Services staff at 902 425 2665 or 1 866 219 1202 (toll-free) to book a one-hour session at a time that is convenient for you. You can bring members from your firm; please let us know at the time of booking. Read More

Event Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 12:00Confidentiality Risks of Doing Business with the Public Sector
Speaker: David Fraser, McInnes Cooper
http://www.cbapd.org/details_en.aspx?id=NS_JTMUPR_616
Read More

Event Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2016 - 07:30Although traditional, the use of joint sessions in mediation is far from a universal approach. Some mediators and lawyers feel strongly against bringing the parties into the same room, even for the purpose of laying the ground rules for the mediation. Others find the joint session, if used skillfully, to be a helpful tool in reaching consensus. Read More

Event Date: Monday, June 13, 2016 - 17:30As the weather warms, young people start the search for summer jobs. Youth, inexperience, and lack of knowledge about workplace safety and employer obligations puts young workers at a much higher risk of injury than those in any other age group. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 (All day)Registration is open until the Friday before the Online Land Registration Act training program.
The cost for this program is $600 plus HST and registrants have one week to complete the course. Read More

Event Date: Thursday, June 16, 2016 - 02:00This practical, half day course focuses on identifying and eliminating the common sources of ambiguity in legal documents that can lead to disputes and even litigation. Read More

Event Date: Thursday, June 9, 2016 - 09:00The Internet creates a host of challenges for businesses seeking to protect their intellectual property (“IP”), brand and reputation. Join us to explore key principles and recent developments in the law of IP in the context of the internet. Read More

Event Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 - 12:00Attracting, servicing, maintaining and growing your client base are key components for ensuring the success of your practice. Join us at this timely program to gain practical strategies to develop and maintain a network of colleagues for referrals. Grow your practice by learning how to inform clients of your firm’s specialization in other practice areas. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 - 07:30Research tells us that gender imbalance in the workplace is bad for business. Many law firms and corporate legal departments have implemented diversity programs to promote the advancement of women. Young women are encouraged to improve their skills in networking and self-promotion for advancement. Yet the number of women legal professionals in the top positions continues to stall. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 - 17:30In Carter, the Supreme Court of Canada (“SCC”) found the Criminal Code provisions prohibiting physician-assisted dying to be unconstitutional, but suspended the declaration for a year to allow the Government to respond legislatively. That legislation was introduced on April 14, 2016, following the granting of a four-month extension by the SCC earlier this year. Read More

Event Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2016 - 17:30Mortgages are the lifeblood of real estate. In today’s low interest rate environment, more and more clients are chasing the yield offered by a high ratio mortgage. When the market stops rising, and the music stops, those clients will look to you for answers. The practice area is changing, with new cases restricting certain recoveries, and with new considerations if the market should turn. Read More

Event Date: Thursday, June 16, 2016 - 08:00Limitation periods haunt lawyers and clients alike. A fundamental question that arises often is: “When is it too late to file a lawsuit?” It is crucial for you to understand how limitation periods work to ensure you are giving your client accurate and timely advice, and to know the steps you can take on their behalf to meet deadlines or mitigate the damage if they have been missed. Read More

Event Date: Thursday, June 16, 2016 - 12:00It is difficult to escape the Uber debate in the media these days as Toronto and other municipalities grapple with how to regulate the popular app. This contentious issue is a prime example of regulators struggling to keep pace with the inescapable technological advances that have become a constant theme in society today. Read More

Event Date: Friday, October 28, 2016 - 09:00This course is intended to deepen your understanding of the financial management of a law practice. You will be engaged in discussions about topics such as the key factors affecting profitability, operation of trust accounts, concepts of time-keeping, liabilities and capital funding.
By the end of this module you will be able to: Read More

Event Date: Friday, October 28, 2016 - 13:00This course is intended to deepen your understanding of the structure of the legal services market in Canada. You will be engaged in discussions about the key commercial and practical issues facing law firms, and the advantage and disadvantages of the principle business vehicles used by legal service providers.
By the end of this module you will be able to: Read More

Event Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016 - 09:00Tying together all the content from the six modules of the Certificate in Law Practice Management program in an interactive, team-based group activity; this course (Module 7) is the final capstone course. Read More